The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation with regards to COVID-19. The health of students and staff is a priority and up to date health information is available at COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) guidance – Ministry of Health website.

If you have a particular health concern about a student or staff member, ask the student or staff member to call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS).

If you have any questions and enquiries relating to NZQA’s quality assurance activities or the pastoral care of students during this time, please contact us at covid19.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz. This includes signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice who may have a specific question about applying the Code.

For other information and advice please refer to the Ministry of Education website.

Information for tertiary students and trainees

Students and family members of anyone studying at a tertiary education or training organisation in New Zealand can get information about COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus) from health providers, tertiary education organisations and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

If you are unwell, please call Healthline's dedicated COVID-19 line (free of charge) on 0800 358 5453 or call your doctor.
You can also contact your local District Health Board.
Please contact your tertiary education organisation directly for information regarding your accommodation, classes and anything relating to your study during this time.
For any other information that your tertiary education provider is unable to help with, please call TEC on 0800 123 797.

International students should contact their insurance provider directly for up-to-date advice on any changes to their cover as a result of COVID-19, consider their options, and take the course of action that is in their best interest.

All tertiary education organisations have been contacted with information about COVID-19 and you can find more information here.

Secondary Schools and students

To recognise the disruption caused to teaching, learning and assessment as a result of COVID-19, several changes have been made to NCEA and University Entrance for 2020. In addition, dates for examinations and portfolio submissions have been delayed to provide students with more time in term 4.

Additional changes to NCEA apply for students in Auckland, and if students outside of Auckland meet expanded Learning Recognition Credits and amended Certificate Endorsement thresholds they may also be able to access this support.

NZQA is helping schools to develop plans for NCEA assessment. From this page you can read our overview of assessment, and updates for people interested in the support NZQA is providing. Professional advice for teachers and schools is also available through the school provider login.

We also have clarifications on Learning Recognition credits.

Information about assessment for students who were scheduled to perform at 2020 Pasifika Festival and ASB Polyfest is available from School Relationship Managers.

Advice and resources for parents and whānau, teachers and leaders can be found at the Learning from home website and Ki Te Ao Mārama.

Useful information for schools and parents can also be found in the Ministry of Education’s Bulletin for School Leaders | He Pitopito Kōrero.

This details NZQA's requirements for exam centres operating at Alert Level 3 (DOCX, 45KB) as agreed by the Ministry of Health. As the government agency leading the COVID-19 response, this is where you should go for up-to-date health information and advice.

Key updates can also be found on the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade websites. The Government now has a dedicated webpage for COVID-19 updates at https://covid19.govt.nz/

About us

Information regarding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

Tertiary providers and students

Information for tertiary providers

Information for tertiary students and trainees

Other useful links

Secondary Schools and students